A project by David Stromberg
This project tells the story of great vision and dedication to an idea, to groundbreaking success, to enthusiasm and to artistic ideals, and brings wonderful music to life in a new way.
How it began
In the summer of 2017, I was searching for literature for two cellos and came across a double concerto for two cellos and orchestra by Emanuel Moór. Late Romantic music of the very highest order, and hardly anyone knows it. I had never heard of the composer Emanuel Moór myself and was immediately fascinated by his ingenuity and deeply felt musical expressions with wonderful melodies and surprising harmonic progressions.
I began to study more and more about this music and its background, and my enthusiasm lead to an Emanuel Moór CD being released in April 2020. The CD features the Double Concerto and other works that cellist Sebastian Hess and I recorded in cooperation with Bayerischer Rundfunk and the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra with conductor Rudolf Piehlmayer.
Casals, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Nikisch
Over the years I have encountered unheard-of peculiarities: The best musicians of his time performed the works of Emanuel Moór: The Berlin Philharmonic with its chief conductor Arthur Nikisch, the Vienna Philharmonic, Alfred Cortot, Eugene Isaye. The cellist Pablo Casals, still famous and revered today, called Moór a genius in his book "Light and Shadow on a Long Path", gave concerts with his works and is his inspiring mentor and friend. Moór wrote about 100 works: operas, symphonies, chamber music and concertos. And then he fell silent in his mid-life and from then on did not write a single note. He went on to become an inventor.
The vision
His vision was to build the piano of the future with the Duplex Coupler Grand Piano. Using a coupling pedal, the instrument allows for the doubling and octaving of tones. And with the two manuals, new shades of sound become possible. Moór also succeeded in reaching the highest circles as an inventor: the most renowned piano makers in the world crafted his instrument: Steinway, Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Pleyel, and several others. He maintained contact with illustrious personalities from the realms of art, science, and business. A special connection existed between Emanuel Moór and Werner von Siemens, who together designed a piano with an electric pickup, far ahead of their time.
The rediscovery
The Duplex Coupler Grand Piano," Florian Uhlig and I breathe new life into a forgotten idea and delve into a fascinating chapter of more recent music history. Our project narrates the thrilling story of grand visions, unwavering dedication to an idea, groundbreaking achievements, enthusiasm, and artistic ideals.
I have been searching for the suitable Duplex Coupler Grand Piano for a long time, and finally, I found it. In March 2021, pianist Florian Uhlig and I tested the instrument together for the first time, awakening it from its slumber. An unforeseen richness of sound greeted us, and the remarkable thing was: even delicate passages could be portrayed in a fascinatingly transparent and clear manner. We had it meticulously restored and were able to perform our first concert with it at the Schönberger Musiksommer in July 2021.
Florian Uhlig and I collaborated with Deutschlandradio in the winter of 2021/2022 to record a CD. Wonderful music for piano and cello comes to life in an entirely new way. We have chosen three sonatas by Emanuel Moór, Ernst von Dohnanyi, and Richard Strauss that beautifully suit the grand piano. I came across a photo where Ernst von Dohnanyi was conducting a concert in Budapest with the Duplex Coupler Grand Piano.
The hall was filled to the last seat, and Winifred Christie, Emanuel Moór's second wife, was sitting at the piano. It was evident: we wanted to present his Sonata for Cello and Piano. Naturally, a piece by Emanuel Moór is included in the program, and Richard Strauss's early work fits wonderfully with its storm and drive, blending seamlessly with the power
of new ideas.
Die Konzertreihe in der Elbphilharmonie
Nach der Wiederentdeckung wollten wir das Duplex-Piano in Konzerten präsentieren und initiierten die Emanuel Moór Konzertreihe. Die ersten drei Konzerte fanden im Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, das vierte in der Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, statt. In der Elbphilharmonie führen wir in der Saison 2023/2024 die Konzertreihe mit drei Konzerten weiter. Freuen Sie sich mit uns auf faszinierende Hörerlebnisse mit dem Duplex-Piano.
David Stromberg
Initiator and project manager
